Novelty toy for concealing personal effects

ABSTRACT

A stuffed novelty toy including an outer material defining a closed body is provided. A stuffing is contained in the closed body and a closeable pocket having an opening at a surface of the outer material extends into the closed body. A closeable pouch is removably positionable within the closeable pocket. A combination novelty toy and personal effect is also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/621,225, filed Oct. 22, 2005, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.

BACKGROUND

Many people prefer that certain intimate personal effects be discretely stored and transported. For instance, most people would not wish to store items used for sexual stimulation or intimate personal hygiene in the open or in a place where they might be happened upon by an unwary acquaintance or relation. By the same token, many of these types of personal items can retain their full utility only if they are available for use at one's slightest fancy.

In general, an intimate personal effect should be stored in a clean environment to prevent contamination prior to use. Further, after use, if such intimate personal effect is soiled or dirtied it should be appropriately stored prior to cleaning.

Accordingly, it would be desireable to provide a device that allows for sanitary storage and concealment of intimate personal effects, but allows such personal effects to be accessed quickly and conveniently. In this manner, a user may obtain satisfaction from use of their selected personal effects without fear of any associated stigma or concern for sanitation.

It would also be desirable to prove storage and concealment for other personal effects, for example lingerie, toys, journals or other items which for a particular reason benefit from concealed storage.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a stuffed novelty toy including an outer material defining a closed body. A stuffing is contained in the closed body and a closeable pocket having an opening at a surface of the outer material extends into the closed body. A closeable pouch is removably positionable within the closeable pocket.

The present invention also provides a combination novelty toy and intimate personal effect. The combination includes a stuffed novelty toy and a personal effect. The personal effect is removably positionable within a closeable pouch which in turn is removably positionable within a closeable pocket within the novelty toy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a stuffed novelty toy according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the stuffed novelty toy of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the stuffed novelty toy of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the stuffed novelty toy of FIG. 1 showing a closeable pocket.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a stuffed novelty toy according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a preferred embodiment of a closeable pouch for insertion into the closeable pockets of the stuffed novelty toys of FIGS. 1 and 5.

FIG. 7 is an alternative preferred embodiment of a closeable pouch for insertion into the closeable pockets of the stuffed novelty toys of FIGS. 1 and 5.

FIG. 8 is an alternative preferred embodiment of a closeable pouch for insertion into the closeable pockets of the stuffed novelty toys of FIGS. 1 and 5.

FIG. 9 is an alternative preferred embodiment of a closeable pouch for insertion into the closeable pockets of the stuffed novelty toys of FIGS. 1 and 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not considered limiting. Words such as “front”, “back”, “top” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. This terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. Additionally, the terms “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted. The phrase “at least one” followed by a list of two or more items (such as A, B, or C) means any individual one of A, B or C as well as any combination thereof.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawing figures where like numerals represent like elements throughout.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a stuffed novelty toy 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The stuffed toy 10 preferably includes an outer fabric 12, such as a plush fabric, formed or sewn into the shape of a closed body which contains pliable and resilient stuffing 14 therein. The outer fabric 12 and stuffing 14 preferably include washable synthetic materials; however, any suitable materials may be used. The stuffed toy 10 is shown in the form of a bear. Alternatively, the stuffed toy 10 may be fashioned in any agreeable form, and it is preferably fashioned in a form typical of those stuffed toys marketed to youths.

A pocket 16 is provided and extends into the closed body so that it is concealed inside the stuffed toy 10. A suitable amount of the stuffing 14 surrounds the pocket 16 to prevent items placed in the pocket 16 from distorting the shape of the toy 10 and thereby becoming noticeable.

The pocket 16 preferably includes a flap 18 which covers an opening of the pocket 16. The flap 18 is fully concealable beneath the outer material 12 and is preferably positioned along a seam or a transition area of the stuffed toy 10. For example, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the flap 18 is positioned along a seam 20 between a head 22 and a torso 24 of the stuffed toy 10. In this manner, any gap between the flap and the outer material is less noticeable. One or more closure members such as hook to loop fastening strips 26 a, 26 b or other types of interlocking appendage strips are provided to connect the flap 18 an inner surface of the pocket 16, or alternatively, to an inner surface of the outer material 12. Preferably, the hook to loop fastening strips 26 a, 26 b include first strips 26 a, provided on an outer surface of the flap 18, and second strips 26 b connected to the inner surface of the pocket 16. Alternatively, the second strips 26 b can be connected to the inner surface of the outer material 12. When the first strips 26 a are connected to the second strips 26 b, any items within the pocket 16 are effectively concealed by the flap 18.

Further referring to FIG. 5, a stuffed toy 110—according to an alternative preferred embodiment is shown in which a closure member is provided including a zipper 126, concealable beneath an outer material strip 140, for covering a pocket 116. In this case, a flap is not required to effectively conceal the contents of the pocket 116. Alternatively, closure members may include snaps, buttons, hook to hook type fasteners, or any other suitable devices.

Referring to FIG. 6, a pouch 50 is provided for containing items to be placed in the pocket 16 of the stuffed toy 10, 110. In this manner, items of suspect cleanliness may be concealed within the stuffed toy 10, 110 without necessitating frequent cleaning of the stuffed toy 10, 110. The pouch 50 is preferably fabricated from a machine washable fabric material including synthetic and/or natural fibers. Alternatively, the pouch 50 can be fabricated from a polymeric, waterproof material. A draw string 52 is provided for closing and opening the pouch 50.

The pouch 50 shown in FIG. 6 is a barrel-type pouch generally in the form of a cylinder. Referring to FIG. 7, a flat pouch 150 according to an alternative preferred embodiment is shown. Alternatively, a pouch may be fabricated in any form which would allow it to easily fit into the pocket 16 of the stuffed toy 10, 110. Referring to FIG. 8, a pouch 250 according to another alternative preferred embodiment is shown in which a zipper 252 is provided for closing and opening the pouch 250. In FIG. 9, a pouch 350 according to yet another alternative preferred embodiment includes cooperating interlocking strips, such as hook to loop or hook to hook type fastening strips 352, for securely closing the pouch 350.

In use, the stuffed toy 10, 110 may be stored anywhere or conspicuously transported with personal effects or other items, for example items 30 shown in FIGS. 6-9, discretely hidden in the pouch 50, 150, 250, 350 that is located within the pocket 16. The items 30 preferably include intimate personal effects such as lingerie or devices used for intimate activities, for example devices for sexual stimulation. Alternatively, items 30 may include other personal effects such as books, journals, toys, or novelty items. The pouch 50, 150, 250, 350 is easily cleanable such that personal effects, for example intimate personal effects, contained therein can be maintained in a sanitary environment. When a user desires to utilize a personal effect, that effect can be removed from the pouch 50, 150, 250, 350 for use. After use, the personal effect can be returned to the pouch 50, 150, 250, 350. The pouch 50, 150, 250, 350 can then be closed and returned to the pocket 16. In this manner, even if the personal effect is soiled, the pocket 16 is protected from contamination by the pouch 50, 150, 250, 350. Subsequently, the pouch 50, 150, 250, 350 and the personal effect can be cleaned and returned to the stuffed toy 10, 110.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above and in the attached Appendix, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, which should be considered as merely exemplary. Further modifications and extensions of the present invention may be developed, and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A stuffed novelty toy comprising: an outer material defining a closed body; a stuffing contained in the closed body; a closeable pocket having an opening at a surface of the outer material and extending into the closed body; and a closeable pouch removably positionable within the closeable pocket;
 2. The novelty toy according to claim 1, wherein the stuffing surrounds the closeable pocket.
 3. The novelty toy according to claim 1, wherein the novelty toy is shaped like a bear.
 4. The novelty toy according to claim 1, further comprising a flap which covers the opening in the closeable pocket.
 5. The novelty toy according to claim 4, wherein the flap is removably positionable within the opening in the closeable pocket, providing a concealed position for the flap.
 6. The novelty toy according to claim 4, wherein the closed body includes a transition area and the flap is positioned along the transition area.
 7. The novelty toy according to claim 4, further comprising closure members connected to the flap.
 8. The novelty toy according to claim 7, wherein the closure members include at least first and second interlocking fastening strips, the first strip being connected to an outer surface of the flap, and the second strip being connected to the inner surface of the outer material within the pocket.
 9. The novelty toy according to claim 1, further comprising: a zipper connected to the opening in the closeable pocket for closing the opening; and a material strip connected to the outer material in proximity to the zipper for concealing the zipper.
 10. The novelty toy according to claim 1, wherein the pouch includes a drawstring for closing the pouch.
 11. The novelty toy according to claim 1, wherein the pouch includes at least one of a zipper and interlocking strips for closing the pouch.
 12. The novelty toy according to claim 1, wherein the outer material includes a washable fabric.
 13. A combination novelty toy and personal effect, the combination comprising: a stuffed novelty toy comprising: an outer material defining a closed body; a resilient stuffing contained in the closed body; a closeable pocket having an opening at a surface of the outer material and extending into the closed body, the closeable pocket being surrounded by the stuffing; and a closeable pouch removably positionable within the closeable pocket; and a personal effect removably positionable within the closeable pocket.
 14. The combination according to claim 13, further comprising a flap which covers the opening in the closeable pocket, wherein the flap is removably positionable within the opening in the closeable pocket, providing a concealed position for the flap.
 15. The combination according to claim 14, further comprising closure members connected to the flap, wherein the closure members include at least first and second interlocking fastening strips, the first strip being connected to an outer surface of the flap, and the second strip being connected inside the closeable pocket.
 16. The combination according to claim 13, wherein the pouch includes at least one of a zipper and an interlocking strip.
 17. The combination according to claim 13, wherein the personal effect includes an intimate personal effect.
 18. The combination according to claim 13, wherein the personal effect includes lingerie.
 19. The combination according to claim 13, wherein the personal effect includes a journal.
 20. The combination according to claim 13, wherein the personal effect includes a toy. 